Englisch für Juristen - Sprachenzentrum der Universität Bayreuth

Course Descriptions
Developing Reading Comprehension in Legal English
(Vorstufe)
This course focuses on the needs of Law students who have failed to reach the required standard at the Placement Test
administered by the Sprachenzentrum.
Participants will study a corpus of authentic texts relating to law and legal practice as a means of enhancing their
reading comprehension skills. Supplementary exercises and class activities will allow students to broaden their
vocabulary and improve their grammatical accuracy. Students who achieve an overall grade of 2.3 or higher will be
exempted from the Placement Test.
Successful participation is in the course is recognized as part-fulfilment of the requirements stipulated in JAPO §24
Fassung 13.10.2003. Note, however, that it is NOT a UNIcert®® course.
Aufbaukurs für Rechtswissenschaftler
Upper Intermediate Communication Skills for Lawyers
(Aufbaustufe)
Promoting greater accuracy and variety of expression are the principal goals of this course which focuses on assisting
students to develop a wider vocabulary base (including legal lexis) for effective spoken and written communication.
Conversational English drawn from a variety of practical and professional situations will be used to enhance students'
fluency and confidence in their use of idiomatic English. Exercises based on audio materials will help participants
improve their listening skills. Relevant points of grammar will be revised as students 'rediscover' rules of structure and
usage for themselves. Students will also read a corpus of texts on current legal issues and write brief commentaries in
response; the emphasis, however, will be on oral competence and active participation.
Note that participation in this course is NOT recognized as part-fulfilment of the JAPO §24 requirements.
English for Lawyers 1 Introduction JAPO §24 (SF1)
The aims of this course are to provide an introduction to the English legal system and to develop the language
skills relevant to this area of study. The course will focus on central features of the legal system including the common
law and the development of equity, the doctrine of judicial precedent, the constitution and human rights, the enactment
process and statutory interpretation, the courts and the role of the jury, the education and training of barristers and
solicitors.
English for Lawyers 2 Aspects of the Anglo-American Legal Systems JAPO §24 (SF2)
This course builds on the competencies acquired by participants in the introductory English for Lawyers 1course.
Emphasis will be placed on consolidating and expanding students’ command of Legal English, enabling them to read
case reports, prepare case briefs, and articulate their opinions regarding key legal concepts and current issues in Anglo-
American Contract, Tort and Criminal law. Each unit is centred around one or more landmark cases.
English for Lawyers 3
(SF3)
This course builds on the competencies acquired by participants in the introductory English for Lawyers 1 and
English for Lawyers 2 courses; it aims to prepare students for professional activity in an international business
environment by equipping them with the necessary linguistic skills and relevant knowledge of the Anglo-
American legal system.
The course will focus on the following areas:
Business organisations
• types of business vehicles (including SE companies); registration procedures and documents
• issue of shares and debentures; shareholder rights
• corporate insolvency and corporate rescue
• fiduciary duties
Contract law
• formation of contracts
• terms
• vitiating factors